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Disproportionate representation of African-American children in foster care: Secondary analysis of the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, 2005

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  • Knott, Theresa
  • Donovan, Kirsten

Abstract

Few studies utilize large national data sets to provide statistical estimates of the degree of disproportionate representation of African-American children placed in CPS foster care. The current study examined the association of African-American racial identity with foster care placement while controlling for child, caregiver, household and abuse characteristics. We conducted secondary analyses of the 2005 National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) on investigated reports of child abuse and neglect that received a maltreatment disposition in the reporting year, 2005. NCANDS 2005 Child File reflects case-level data based on the submissions of 48 states and the District of Columbia resulting in 3,461,872 investigations. Our unweighted study sample was restricted to 71,802 investigations of primary substantiated maltreatment in the reporting year 2005. A logit model was used to examine the association between foster care placement and racial identity. After controlling for child, caregiver, household and abuse characteristics African-American children had 44% higher odds of foster care placement when compared with Caucasian children. This study supports the cumulative evidence that African-American racial identity is a significant predictor of foster care services. Continued examination of the factors associated with foster placement is warranted to unravel the complex circumstances facing this vulnerable segment of children.

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  • Knott, Theresa & Donovan, Kirsten, 2010. "Disproportionate representation of African-American children in foster care: Secondary analysis of the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System, 2005," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(5), pages 679-684, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:cysrev:v:32:y:2010:i:5:p:679-684
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    1. Klein, Sacha & Fries, Lauren & Emmons, Mary M., 2017. "Early care and education arrangements and young children's risk of foster placement: Findings from a National Child Welfare Sample," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 168-178.
    2. Kahn, Nicholas E. & Hansen, Mary Eschelbach, 2017. "Measuring racial disparities in foster care placement: A case study of Texas," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 213-226.
    3. Haas, Bridget M. & Berg, Kristen A. & Schmidt-Sane, Megan M. & Korbin, Jill E. & Spilsbury, James C., 2018. "How might neighborhood built environment influence child maltreatment? Caregiver perceptions," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 171-178.
    4. Stephens, Tricia & Kuerbis, Alexis & Pisciotta, Caterina & Morgenstern, Jon, 2020. "Underexamined points of vulnerability for black mothers in the child welfare system: The role of number of births, age of first use of substances and criminal justice involvement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    5. LaBrenz, Catherine A. & Littleton, Tenesha & Shipe, Stacey L. & Bai, Rong & Stargel, Lauren, 2023. "State policies on child maltreatment and racial disproportionality," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    6. Villegas, Susy & Rosenthal, James & O'Brien, Kirk & Pecora, Peter J., 2014. "Educational outcomes for adults formerly in foster care: The role of ethnicity," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 36(C), pages 42-52.
    7. Lee, Sei-Young & Villagrana, Margarita, 2015. "Differences in risk and protective factors between crossover and non-crossover youth in juvenile justice," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 18-27.
    8. Kirk, Rosalind & Day, Angelique, 2011. "Increasing college access for youth aging out of foster care: Evaluation of a summer camp program for foster youth transitioning from high school to college," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 33(7), pages 1173-1180, July.
    9. Witte, Susanne, 2020. "Case file analyses in child protection research: Review of methodological challenges and development of a framework," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 108(C).
    10. Crampton, David & Yoon, Susan, 2016. "Crisis nursery services and foster care prevention: An exploratory study," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C), pages 311-316.
    11. Choi, Mi Jin, 2017. "The effects of economic factors on the out-of-home placement for maltreated children," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 40-53.
    12. Cutuli, J.J. & Goerge, Robert M. & Coulton, Claudia & Schretzman, Maryanne & Crampton, David & Charvat, Benjamin J. & Lalich, Nina & Raithel, JessicaA. & Gacitua, Cristobal & Lee, Eun Lye, 2016. "From foster care to juvenile justice: Exploring characteristics of youth in three cities," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 84-94.
    13. PettyJohn, Morgan E. & Reid, Taylor A. & Miller, Elizabeth & Bogen, Katherine W. & McCauley, Heather L., 2021. "Reproductive coercion, intimate partner violence, and pregnancy risk among adolescent women with a history of foster care involvement," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
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    15. Davidson, Ryan D. & Tomlinson, Claire S. & Beck, Connie J. & Bowen, Anne M., 2019. "The revolving door of families in the child welfare system: Risk and protective factors associated with families returning," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 468-479.

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